AGRICULTURE IN MALACCA. 
716 
be estimated at about one third only. It will be perceived that 
this plan will still farther diminish the expense of the cocoanut 
cultivation, at the same time that it secures an additional profit 
hereafter. As yet there are no correct statistical data to go upon. 
The information obtained from native cultivators cannot be much 
depended on. From 40 to 60 fold are stated to be the returns 
yielded by each gantang of seeds, but when the question is pushed 
the result by no means proves the correctness of these statements. 
I asked one individual what was the produce of his fields, consisting 
of 42 Battas, his answer was two eoyans, raised from 30 gantangs 
of seed—this will give a little more than two gantangs of seed per 
acre, and make the return 50 fold, but upon referring to his 
commutation deeds, I find they measure about 14 acres; if this 
measurement be correct then his fields produce only 114 gantangs 
per acre. Another individual says he has obtained 1,500 gantangs 
from his fields, which he considers very fair, but on reference to 
his commutation deed, they measure about 11 acres, which gives 
136 gantangs per acre, the quantity of seed sown is unknown. But 
it must be admitted that the paddy crops have not been generally 
good this year. A great advantage would be obtained to statistical 
knowledge if the JBattas were ordered to be made all of one size, 
say forty fathoms by twenty, (about one-third of an acre) and the 
cultivators were made to sow seeds and begin planting within a 
certain limited time j from June to August ought to be the limit 
for paddy Selangore, which takes seven months from seed to 
harvest, and September the utmost limit for paddy Nachin which 
yields in five months. I have introduced the subject to the notice 
of several of the cultivators, and pointed out to them the injurious 
effect of this want of system and co-operation for the general good, 
the reasons which appeared to me at first to be merely selfish—the 
fear of having the crops of those who have first planted entirely 
devoured by rats, before the others could be ripe enough to come 
in for a share; but upon further enquiry I find defective drainage 
to be also a principal cause. When the season for planting arrives, 
it too often happens that there is in some fields too much water, 
which from obstructions in the water courses cannot be drained 
off, and necessity compels the owners to wait until a great portion 
of the water is evaporated by a change of weather, which however 
seldom takes place until the season for planting is too far advanced, 
and the dry season makes its appearance before the ears are formed, 
which are thereby shrivelled in the buds. 
An extensive paddy field has a beautiful appearance, and keeps 
the air in a pure state, for which reason it should be preferred to 
other kinds of culture ; but if the planter has a mind to cultivate 
the swamp himself, he should not, I think, undertake paddy 
cultivation, as the labour is great and he will require a number of 
hands which will eventually cost him dear, if the grain should by 
